The Dynamics of Managing Political Parties in Nigeria (original) (raw)

Despite all the challenges since the return to democratic rule in 1999 after a prolonged military rule, democracy is being consolidated in Nigeria. The six successive elections, the peaceful transfer of power from one civilian regime to another, and power alternation at the national level in the 2015 election are indications of democratic progress amidst the fragility of the institutional foundations of democracy, especially the political parties and the party system. Elections remain contentious amidst troubling attitudes and behaviours of the mainstream political elite which often poses a challenge to democratic consolidation in Nigeria. Political parties are not only an indispensable component of democracy but also central to the survival of a political system. Deepening democracy goes beyond conducting elections to building strong institutional foundations, including the rule of law, constitutionalism, strong media and civil society, and, perhaps most importantly, political parties. The significant role political parties play especially in mobilizing citizens, aggregating interests, recruiting candidates, developing policy proposals, coordinating governments, and making them accountable in democracy, cannot be overemphasized. Despite their shortcomings, functional political parties remain the link between government and society and the cornerstone of representative democracy.

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